Natalie Parker undressed, folded her clothes on the table, and tied the horrible, paper-thin hospital gown loosely behind her back. Once a year, she faced this task because cancer ran in her family and she’d rather know early if she needed to fight that battle.
She settled back on the flat hospital bed and waited for her doctor to come in.
Was that her boss’s deep voice? Natalie sat up and her pulse raced as she stared with apprehension at the closed door. She glanced at her pocketbook, where she’d stuffed her office wig. Voices argued in the hall and every so often she swore she heard Galen Morgan’s sexy baritone. Her heart thumped a warning that he might find her here, though that really made no sense.
A female doctor with dark brown hair whose name she didn’t remember from the group plan entered her room, and Natalie tried to relax. She lay down while the doctor took a seat near her bottom half, then wheeled the chair toward the medical supplies. The doctor wore a frazzled expression. “Morning.”
Natalie slipped her feet into the stirrups without being told what to do, though she tried not to think about the check-up, and pasted a smile on her face. “The office is super noisy today.”
The doctor tugged her plastic gloves on as she rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how crazy it is out there right now.” She flipped on the bright overhead light. “Now lie down so we can get you started and on your way.”
Guess even doctors’ offices get insane. Natalie closed her eyes and braced for the uncomfortable plastic pliers that were a normal part of the procedure. That masculine rumble in the hall definitely sounded like Galen, who had no reason to be here. Eyes sealed shut, she tried to continue the conversation and not think about the annual check-up or Galen Morgan. “I’m going to work after this.”
No pinching? The doctor must have used a cream because Natalie didn’t even squirm—she then patted Natalie’s ankle and said, “Done.”
Natalie opened her eyes and took her legs from the stirrups. Outside, she heard Galen Morgan mention a cigarette which sent a cold chill down her spine. He really was outside in the hall and obviously upset.
The doctor stood while Natalie sat up. “Remember, you’ll need to rest so try to keep your feet up for the rest of the day.”
Strange. That was the first time after a yearly exam she’d ever been told to rest before, but her mind raced with worry over the fact that Galen was here. What if he saw through her disguise? In order to work for him, she’d added twenty years to her appearance with a wig and makeup. Would he recognize her outside of the office? She scooted to the edge of the exam table. At least she already had her loose clothes with her. Nothing form-fitting to give her away. Her heart pounded but she tried to keep the conversation with the doctor normal. “Okay? That’s new.”
The doctor took her chart and partially opened the door to slip out. “You’re all set. You can get dressed now.”
She caught a glimpse of Galen’s profile. Natalie’s entire body froze in panic. Then the doctor closed the door and Natalie clutched the paper-thin wrap to her chest.
Seeing her sexy bosshereand in some sort of argument outside the door meant he must have a girlfriend. She shook off the troublesome thought. And now she needed to quickly add makeup with the cloudy hand mirror attached to the powder to help her look aged so he wouldn’t notice anyway. Her first priority was to escape this office without being seen.
Natalie zipped up her black dress, two sizes too big, and found her gray wig and makeup kit. She smeared her purplish rose lipstick and tucked her long straight blonde hair into the wig. She couldn’t find her elastic tie. Maybe it was in her car?
Once she had her black glasses on and aged her face with caked on makeup, she kept her head down and eased out of the room, hoping that whatever was going on meant Galen would be too busy to notice her.
As she turned the corner, she almost ran right into Galen’s muscular back as he stood outside a different exam room door. His eyes widened in recognition.Drat.And why did he have a scrape on his cheek? Not that she had any right to ask. She kept her head down, “Mr. Morgan…I’m on my way to the office now.”
He caught her wrist and she glanced up at him. He immediately let her go, folded his hands in front of him and stared at her like she’d answered a prayer. A different kind of hum entered her, but she knew he’d never see the real her. Instead Mr. Broad Shoulders said, “Ms. Parker! I think you must be an angel. Can you drive Ms. Gonzales home while my brother and I deal with some paperwork?”
The Hollywood actress? That must be the cause of the craziness. Natalie peeked into the open room and saw one of Galen’s brothers with the famous actress. She pushed her glasses up higher on her nose and said, “That will make me late to the office.”
He let out a huge sigh and nodded. “We’ll consider this part of your job for the day, Ms. Parker. I’ll reimburse you for any expenses.”
“Okay.” She clutched her bags closer to her chest and stepped back. A few minutes later, the gorgeous film actress in a tight-fitting white tank dress that showed off her ample bosom and perfectly formed curves walked to the elevator with Natalie tagging behind, looking like a bag lady. Once the doors closed, Jennifer crossed her arms and stared at Natalie’s profile.
Natalie kept her head down even though her scalp beneath the wig itched.
As the metal doors opened, Jennifer shook her head in admonition. “Galen has no idea you’re wearing a wig, does he?”
Eyes averted as she left the elevator, Natalie said, “Umm.”
Jennifer stayed at her side as they walked out of the medical building and into the bright sun, which made her head itch even worse. “You don’t have to answer, but honestly, that makeup you’re wearing to look older isn’t well done at all.”
Great. It had worked for the past year. Besides, she wasn’t trying to win an Oscar in a movie. The makeup and wig were to keep her job. Natalie dug into her bag and fished out her Hyundai Sonata car keys, hitting the button to unlock. The lights flickered. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for her door. “Miss Gonzales.” Would she tell Galen about the disguise and ruin her life?
“Jennifer,” the actress said and slipped into the passenger seat.
The gentle sway of the palm trees portrayed a calm and peaceful summer day, but her stomach tightened into a knot. She started the car and removed her fake black glasses to clean off the steam. “We don’t know each other or anything, but I would appreciate it if you don’t tell Mr. Morgan about my disguise.”
Jennifer straightened her shoulders and studied her profile. “Look, I can help you get Galen to notice you and you won’t have to dress up like,” she considered, “like a homeless woman with no fashion sense.”
Natalie jammed her glasses back on. Today was the strangest Monday ever. She put the car in reverse and pulled out of her spot. “That’s a horrible idea.”
